<HTML>
<HEAD>
<BASE TARGET="_top">
<TITLE>United States Patent: 6500091</TITLE></HEAD>
<BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF">
<a name="top"></a>
<center>
<IMG SRC="/netaicon/PTO/patfthdr.gif" alt="[US Patent & Trademark Office, Patent Full Text and Image Database]">
<br>
<table>
<tr><td align=center>
<a href="http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html"><img src="/netaicon/PTO/home.gif" alt="[Home]" border="0" valign=middle></a>
<a href="/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html"><img src="/netaicon/PTO/boolean.gif" alt="[Boolean Search]" border="0" valign=middle></a>
<A HREF="/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.htm"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="/netaicon/PTO/manual.gif" ALT="[Manual Search]" valign=middle></A>
<a href="/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm"><img src="/netaicon/PTO/number.gif" alt="[Number Search]" border="0" valign=middle></a>
<A HREF="http://www.uspto.gov/patft/help/help.htm"><IMG BORDER="0" valign=middle SRC="/netaicon/PTO/help.gif" ALT="[Help]"></A>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align=center>
<a href="#bottom"><img src="/netaicon/PTO/bottom.gif" alt="[Bottom]" valign=middle border=0></A>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align=center>
<A HREF="http://ebiz1.uspto.gov/vision-service/ShoppingCart_P/ShowShoppingCart?backUrl1=http%3A//patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1%3DPTO1%26Sect2%3DHITOFF%26d%3DPALL%26p%3D1%26u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%26r%3D1%26f%3DG%26l%3D50%26s1%3D6500091.PN.%26OS%3DPN%2F6500091&backLabel1=Back%20to%20Document%3A%206500091"><img border=0 src="/netaicon/PTO/cart.gif" border=0 valign=middle alt="
[View Shopping Cart]"></A>
<A HREF="http://ebiz1.uspto.gov/vision-service/ShoppingCart_P/AddToShoppingCart?docNumber=6500091&backUrl1=http%3A//patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1%3DPTO1%26Sect2%3DHITOFF%26d%3DPALL%26p%3D1%26u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%26r%3D1%26f%3DG%26l%3D50%26s1%3D6500091.PN.%26OS%3DPN%2F6500091&backLabel1=Back%20to%20Document%3A%206500091">
<img border=0 src="/netaicon/PTO/order.gif" valign=middle alt="[Add to Shopping Cart]"></A>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align=center>
<a href=http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=06500091&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPALL%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D6500091.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F6500091%2526RS%3DPN%2F6500091&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page><img src="/netaicon/PTO/image.gif" alt="[Image]" border="0" valign="middle"></A>

</td></tr>
</table>
</center>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
<TR><TD ALIGN="LEFT" width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM WIDTH=50%><FONT SIZE=-1>( <STRONG>1</STRONG></FONT> <FONT SIZE=-2>of</FONT> <STRONG><FONT SIZE=-1>1</STRONG> )</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<HR>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
<TR>	<TD ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="50%"><B>United States Patent </B></TD>
	<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" WIDTH="50%"><B><A Name=h1 HREF=#h0></A><A  HREF=#h2></A><B><I></I></B>6,500,091</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="50%"><b>
 Yeo
 </B>
</TD>
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" WIDTH="50%"> <B>
December 31, 2002
</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<HR>
<font size="+1"> Shift control method for automatic transmission
</font><BR>
<BR><CENTER><B>Abstract</B></CENTER>
<P>A shift control method for an automatic transmission while a vehicle runs
     up a slope while towing a trailer includes the steps of determining if
     present shift lever position indicates a driving range 2, calculating
     weight-slope resistance if the shift lever position indicates the driving
     range 2, determining if the weight-slope resistance is greater than a
     threshold weight-slope resistance, measuring time duration during which
     the weight-slope resistance is maintained over the threshold value if the
     weight-slope resistance is greater than the threshold weight-slope
     resistance, determining if the time duration is longer than a threshold
     time, converting a present normal shift pattern into a trailer-towing
     shift pattern if the time duration is longer than a threshold time, and
     returning the trailer-towing shift pattern to the normal shift pattern if
     the weight-slope resistance becomes equal to or less than the threshold
     weight-slope resistance and this condition is maintained over a second
     threshold time.
</P>
<HR>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%"> <TR><TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="10%">Inventors: </TD><TD ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="90%">
 <B>Yeo; Chang-Gi</B> (Kyungki-do, <B>KR</B>) </TD></TR><TR> <TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="10%">Assignee:</TD>
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="90%">

<B>Hyundai Motor Company</B>
 (Seoul, 
<B>KR</B>)
<BR>

</TD>
</TR><TR><TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="10%" NOWRAP>Appl. No.:
</TD><TD ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="90%">                    
<B> 09/749,942</B></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD VALIGN="TOP" ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="10%">Filed:
  </TD><TD ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="90%">                    
  <B>December 29, 2000</B></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<HR>
<CENTER><B>Foreign Application Priority Data</B></CENTER> <HR align=center width="30%"> <TABLE WIDTH="100%"> <TR><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD></TR> <TR><TD align="center">
Jun 26, 2000
[KR]</TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD align='left'>
2000-35301</TD></TR><TR><TD align=center>

</TD>
</TR> </TABLE>
<p>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
  <TR><TD VALIGN=TOP ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="40%"><B>Current U.S. Class:</B></TD>
  <TD VALIGN=TOP ALIGN="RIGHT" WIDTH="80%"><B>477/97</B>  ; 477/900; 477/901; 701/56; 701/65</TD></TR>
  <TR><TD VALIGN=TOP ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="40%"><B>Current International Class: </B></TD>
  <TD VALIGN=TOP ALIGN="RIGHT" WIDTH="80%">F16H 61/02&nbsp(20060101); F16H 59/14&nbsp(20060101); F16H 59/66&nbsp(20060101); F16H 59/60&nbsp(20060101); F16H 059/66&nbsp()</TD></TR>
  <TR><TD VALIGN=TOP ALIGN="LEFT" WIDTH="40%"><B>Field of Search: </B></TD>
  <TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP" WIDTH="80%">
  






 477/97,900,901 701/56,55,65,66
  </TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<HR><CENTER><B>References Cited  <a href="/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=0&f=S&l=50&d=PALL&Query=ref/6500091">[Referenced By]</A></B></CENTER><HR>
<CENTER><b>U.S. Patent Documents</b></CENTER>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%"> <TR><TD WIDTH="33%"></TD><TD WIDTH="33%"></TD><TD WIDTH="34%"></TD></TR> <TR> <TD ALIGN="left">
<a href="/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F4713764">4713764</a></TD><TD align =left>
December 1987</TD><TD align=left>
Klatt</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>
<a href="/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5010490">5010490</a></TD><TD align =left>
April 1991</TD><TD align=left>
Naito et al.</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>
<a href="/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5035160">5035160</a></TD><TD align =left>
July 1991</TD><TD align=left>
Morita</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>
<a href="/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5051905">5051905</a></TD><TD align =left>
September 1991</TD><TD align=left>
Yoshida</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>
<a href="/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5765117">5765117</a></TD><TD align =left>
June 1998</TD><TD align=left>
Horiguchi</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>
<a href="/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5832400">5832400</a></TD><TD align =left>
November 1998</TD><TD align=left>
Takahashi et al.</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>
<a href="/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F6249735">6249735</a></TD><TD align =left>
June 2001</TD><TD align=left>
Yamada et al.</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>
<a href="/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F6275760">6275760</a></TD><TD align =left>
August 2001</TD><TD align=left>
Saito et al.</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>

</TD>
</TR> </TABLE>  <I>Primary Examiner:</I>  Lorence; Richard M.
<BR>
  <I>Assistant Examiner:</I>  Ho; Ha
<BR>
  <I>Attorney, Agent or Firm:</I> <coma>Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP
<BR>
<HR>
<CENTER><B><I>Claims</B></I></CENTER> <HR> <BR><BR>What is claimed is:<BR><BR>1.  A shift control method for an automatic transmission while a vehicle runs up a slope while towing a trailer comprising the steps of: determining if present shift lever
position indicates a driving range 2;  calculating weight-slope resistance if the shift lever position indicates the driving range 2;  determining if the weight-slope resistance is greater than a threshold weight-slope resistance;  measuring a time
duration during which the weight-slope resistance is maintained over the threshold value when the weight-slope resistance is greater than the threshold weight-slope resistance;  determining if the time duration is longer than a threshold time;  and
converting a present normal shift pattern into a trailer-towing shift pattern when the time duration is longer than a threshold time.
<BR><BR>2.  The shift control method of claim 1 wherein when the weight-slope resistance becomes equal to or less than the threshold weight-slope resistance and this condition is maintained over a second threshold time, the trailer-towing shift pattern
is returned to the normal shift pattern.
<BR><BR>3.  A shift control method for an automatic transmission while a vehicle runs up a slope and tows a trailer comprising the steps of: a) determining if present shift lever position indicates a driving range 2;  b) calculating weight-slope
resistance when the present shift lever position indicates the driving range 2;  c) determining if the weight-slope resistance is greater than a threshold weight-slope resistance;  d) starting a timer when the weight-slope resistance is greater than the
threshold weight-slope resistance;  e) measuring a time duration during which the weight-slope resistance is greater than the threshold weight-slope resistance;  f) determining if the time duration is longer than a threshold time duration;  g)
determining that the vehicle runs up a slope when the time duration is longer than the threshold time duration;  and h) converting a present normal shift pattern into a trailer-towing shift pattern.
<BR><BR>4.  The shift control method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of: i) determining if the weight-slope resistance is equal to or less than a second threshold weight-slope resistance;  j) starting the timer if the weight-slope resistance is
equal to or less than the second threshold weight-slope resistance;  k) measuring time duration during which the weight-slope resistance is equal to or less than the second threshold weight-slope resistance;  l) determining if the time duration is longer
than a second threshold time duration;  m) determining that the vehicle is not running up a slope when the time duration is longer than a second threshold time duration;  and n) returning the trailer-towing shift pattern to the normal shift pattern.<HR>
<CENTER><B><I> Description</B></I></CENTER> <HR> <BR><BR>BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
<BR><BR>(a) Field of the Invention
<BR><BR>The present invention relates to a shift control method for an automatic transmission of a vehicle especially when the vehicle runs up a slope while towing a trailer.
<BR><BR>(b) Description of the Related Art
<BR><BR>Recently, the number of vehicles towing trailers with various leisure equipment has tended to increase as leisure activities have diversified.  In this case of a vehicle towing a trailer, a large traction force are required.
<BR><BR>When the vehicle towing the trailer is a manual transmission equipped vehicle, it is possible for a driver to appropriately perform shift operation while considering the present load condition of the vehicle.
<BR><BR>However, in the case of a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, the shift operation is automatically performed according to the vehicle's conditions such as running speed, throttle opening level, and so on by a transmission control
unit (TCU) controlling various valves of a hydraulic pressure system cooperating with a gear train, such that intentional shift operation by the driver is limited.
<BR><BR>Accordingly, it is required to adapt a separate shift control logic for when the vehicle tows a trailer, but this kind of logic has not been adapted to automatic transmission control until now such that the shift operation has been performed in
the same shift pattern as a normal state even when towing a trailer.
<BR><BR>If the shift control is performed with the normal shift pattern, especially when the vehicle runs up a slope with the trailer, generally second speed range is selected.  However, a vehicle running in the second speed range experiences a lack of
driving torque and an extreme slippage of the torque converter that causes the oil temperature to heighten.
<BR><BR>SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
<BR><BR>The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems.
<BR><BR>It is an object of the present invention to provide a shift control method of an automatic transmission for a vehicle especially when the vehicle runs up a slope while towing a trailer so as to obtain enough driving torque, reduce slippage of the
torque converter, and prevent the oil temperature from being heightened.
<BR><BR>To achieve the above object, the shift control method for an automatic transmission of the present invention comprises the steps of determining if present shift lever position indicates a driving range 2, calculating weight-slope resistance if
the shift lever position indicates the driving range 2, determining if the weight-slope resistance is greater than a threshold weight-slope resistance, measuring time duration during which the weight-slope resistance is maintained over the threshold
value if the weight-slope resistance is greater than the threshold weight-slope resistance, determining if the time duration is longer than a threshold time, converting a present normal shift pattern into a trailer-towing shift pattern if the time
duration is longer than a threshold time, and returning the trailer-towing shift pattern to the normal shift pattern if the weight-slope resistance becomes equal to or less than the threshold weight-slope resistance and this condition is maintained over
a second threshold time. <BR><BR>BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
<BR><BR>The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention:
<BR><BR>FIG. 1 is a block diagram for illustrating a transmission control system according a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
<BR><BR>FIG. 2 is a flow chart for illustrating a shift control method for an automatic transmission of a vehicle especially when the vehicle runs up a slope while towing a trailer. <BR><BR>DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
<BR><BR>Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<BR><BR>As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic transmission control system comprises a vehicle condition detection means 2, a transmission control unit (TCU), and a hydraulic control means.
<BR><BR>The vehicle condition detection means 2 comprises a throttle position sensor 4 for detecting throttle-opening level, a vehicle speed sensor 6, an inhibitor switch 8 for detecting position of a shift lever, an oil temperature sensor 10, an engine
rpm sensor 12, and first and second pulse generators 14 and 16 for respectively detecting kick-down servo rpm and output rpm, each of them electrically connected to a transmission control unit (TCU) such that data from the vehicle condition detection
means 2 is compared to predetermined parameters and analyzed by the TCU and then the TCU performs shift control by controlling hydraulic actuating means 18 comprising various solenoid valves.
<BR><BR>A shift control method of the above structured transmission control system used particularly when a vehicle equipped with the transmission control system runs up a slope while towing a trailer will be described hereinafter.
<BR><BR>As shown in FIG. 2, during shift operation the TCU determines if the shift lever is positioned at a driving range "2" or not on the basis of the data from the inhibitor switch 8 at step S100.
<BR><BR>If the shift lever is positioned at other ranges of P, R, N, D, 4, or 3, the shift operation is performed according to the normal shift pattern, and if the shift lever is positioned at the driving range "2", the TCU calculates a weight-slope
resistance at step S110, and then determines if the weight-slope resistance is greater than a reference value at step S120.
<BR><BR>If the weight-slope resistance is greater than the reference value, the TCU operates a timer at step S130 and then determines if the duration, while the weight-slope resistance is greater than the reference value, is longer than a reference
period of time, for example 16 ms, at step S140.
<BR><BR>If the duration is longer than the reference period of time, the TCU determines that the vehicle runs up a slope at step S150 such that the TCU converts the present normal shift pattern to a trailer-towing shift pattern at step S160.
<BR><BR>If the condition is not satisfied at step S120, the algorithm process returns to the step S110, and if the condition is not satisfied at step S140, the algorithm process returns to step S130.
<BR><BR>The reference weight-slope resistance value is set in consideration of engine performance, gear ratios of the transmission, and so on, because these factors differ with each vehicle.  Also, the trailer-towing shift pattern is preset in
consideration of trailer towing conditions.
<BR><BR>After shift operation in the trailer-towing shift pattern at step S160, the TCU determines again if the weight-slope resistance is equal to or less than the reference weight-slope resistance at step S170.  If the weight-slope resistance is equal
to or less than the reference weight-slope resistance, the TCU operates the timer at step S180 and then determines if the duration while the weight-slope resistance is greater than the reference value is longer than a reference period time at step S190.
<BR><BR>If the duration while the weight-slope resistance is greater than the reference value is longer than a reference time period, the TCU determines that the vehicle is not running up a slope at step S200 and it returns to the initial step.
<BR><BR>If the weight-slope resistance condition is not satisfied at step S170, the algorithm process returns to the step S160, and if the condition is not satisfied at step S190, the algorithm returns to the step S180.
<BR><BR>At steps S120 and S170, even though the reference weight-slope resistances can be set as the same value, it is preferred to set the reference weight-slope resistance at step S120 so as to be greater than the reference weight-slope resistance at
step S170.
<BR><BR>The shift control on a slope while towing a trailer according to the present invention is performed in the state when it is determined that the present shift range is at range "2", and the vehicle runs up a slope while towing a trailer, such that
if these conditions are not satisfied, the trailer-towing shift control pattern returns to the normal shift control pattern.
<BR><BR>Also, the reason for the adaptation of shift range "2" as the condition for the trailer-towing shift control pattern is to prevent unintentional shift behavior from causing a dangerous state.
<BR><BR>As described above, in the shift control method of the automatic transmission, a separate shift control logic is used when the vehicle runs up a slope while towing a trailer so as to obtain enough driving torque, reduce slippage of the torque
converter, and prevent oil temperature from being heightened.
<BR><BR>While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the
contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
<BR><BR><CENTER><B>* * * * *</B></CENTER>
<HR>
<CENTER>
<a href=http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=06500091&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPALL%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D6500091.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F6500091%2526RS%3DPN%2F6500091&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page><img src="/netaicon/PTO/image.gif" alt="[Image]" border="0" valign="middle"></A>
<table>
<tr><td align=center><A HREF="http://ebiz1.uspto.gov/vision-service/ShoppingCart_P/ShowShoppingCart?backUrl1=http%3A//patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1%3DPTO1%26Sect2%3DHITOFF%26d%3DPALL%26p%3D1%26u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%26r%3D1%26f%3DG%26l%3D50%26s1%3D6500091.PN.%26OS%3DPN%2F6500091&backLabel1=Back%20to%20Document%3A%206500091"><img border=0 src="/netaicon/PTO/cart.gif" border=
0 valign=middle alt="[View Shopping Cart]"></A>
<A HREF="http://ebiz1.uspto.gov/vision-service/ShoppingCart_P/AddToShoppingCart?docNumber=6500091&backUrl1=http%3A//patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1%3DPTO1%26Sect2%3DHITOFF%26d%3DPALL%26p%3D1%26u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%26r%3D1%26f%3DG%26l%3D50%26s1%3D6500091.PN.%26OS%3DPN%2F6500091&backLabel1=Back%20to%20Document%3A%206500091">
<img border=0 src="/netaicon/PTO/order.gif" valign=middle alt="[Add to Shopping Cart]"></A>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align=center>
<a href="#top"><img valign=middle src="/netaicon/PTO/top.gif" border=0 alt="[Top]"></a>
</td></tr>
</table>
<a name="bottom"></a>
<a href="http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html"><img src="/netaicon/PTO/home.gif" alt="[Home]" border="0" valign=middle></a>
<a href="/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html"><img src="/netaicon/PTO/boolean.gif" alt="[Boolean Search]" border="0" valign=middle></a>
<A HREF="/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.htm"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="/netaicon/PTO/manual.gif" ALT="[Manual Search]" valign=middle></A>
<a href="/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm"><img src="/netaicon/PTO/number.gif" alt="[Number Search]" border="0" valign=middle></a>
<A HREF="http://www.uspto.gov/patft/help/help.htm"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="/netaicon/PTO/help.gif" ALT="[Help]" valign=middle></A>
</center>
</BODY>
</HTML>